On the Edge of Tomorrow

Chapter 34

I could hear Billy strumming in the room as I brushed my teeth. It was a melody I didn't recognize. For a moment, the curiosity of his songs soared through me, but I packed it down. We worked because I didn't listen to his music; it kept us honest. My mind wandered to his life, what was unfolding. The construct overwhelmed me. He had a talent, and because of that gift, his world was available for twisting into a public spectacle whether or not he liked it. It was cruel. I turned the shower on to drown out his strumming and my thoughts, but it did nothing to dispel my angry views. He was still tinkering when I finished getting ready.

"Pigtails," he smiled.

"Sorry, I needed to keep my hair out of my face while I did my makeup," I sheepishly pulled one of the hair bands from my hair.

"No, I like them," he tried to stop me, but it was too late. "Well, I guess that'll teach me to point out things I enjoy."

"I guess it will," I jested back as I pulled my hair into a ponytail.

"I like your shirt," he luridly added.

"Nice try. We have to go." I pushed him forward.

"Can I have this?" He tugged on the spare hairband on my wrist.

"Yeah, sure; why?" I asked as I pulled the band from my wrist and handed it to him.

"I'll keep it handy in case you decide you want to switch things up." He pulled it onto his wrist. "Ready?"

"Ah, yeah." I picked up my schoolbag as we left. "I'm guessing I'll have some downtime," I added with a shrug.

Tim was in the hall. "You two like to cut it close," he complained.

"Hey Timmy, how were the record stores?" I greeted him as though he hadn't immediately jumped down our throats.

Billy leaned into me and murmured, "I call Tim's bossy alter ego Dimmy."

"Don't do that; you know I hate it when you call me Dimmy." Tim paced ahead of us.

"Whatever you say, Dimster." Billy shot back at him.

We went down the employee elevator and through the kitchen as planned. As we walked through, I pointed out the stacks of real eggs they were using. Billy just rolled his eyes.

"In, in," Tim ushered us into the car like cattle.

"Geez, Dim, you are bossy," I teased.

"Don't start, Lil," Tim held up a hand.

"What's up with you today?" Billy poked the back of his head.

"Nothing, everything is great," Tim growled from the front.

Billy shot me a look.

"Timmy, was there a problem at the record store?" I soothed.

"There's no such thing as a problem at a record store; it's the happiest place on freaking earth." He was still barking.

"Use your words, Timmy," I prodded.

"There's this girl, and I thought we had a thing, but now she's ghosting me." He sighed in front of us. I looked at Billy for clarity, but he just shrugged with as much surprise as me.

"Who's the girl?" It intrigued me.

"She's from back home. Her name is Tess."

"Wait, record store Tessa?" Billy shot back at him.

"Yes, is there any other Tess?" Tim's annoyance saturated his words.

"Yes, there are other Tessas. Tessi? Tessies?" Billy lost himself in pluralization before continuing. "Statistically, there are many." Billy's tone was mocking, which wasn't helping.

"Billy, don't be mean." I shoved his shoulder.

"Yeah, Billy, don't be mean," Tim shot over his shoulder as well.

"It's Dimmy," Billy argued. 

I raised my eyebrow at Billy as a warning. 

"Sorry," he murmured as he lifted my hand to his lips. 

"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Tim,"  directed. 

"But..." Billy began as I gave him another stern look. "Sorry, Tim." Billy reluctantly mumbled, as though he had gotten into trouble with his mom.

"I missed you, Lil," Tim smiled a bit.

"I expect you to tell me all about Tess once we get rid of this dead weight."

"Dead weight?" Billy protested.

I leaned in and gave him a lingering kiss.

"Sorry, Tim. Sorry for everything I've ever done and everything I'll ever do." Billy pulled me closer to him for another deep kiss that ran to my toes.

"How is it possible that I still need you?" I whimpered.

"Seraphina," he murmured back before a laugh erupted from his throat.

"Seriously, I'm just in a tailspin of rejection and loneliness, but go ahead, flaunt your blissful proximity," Tim complained.

"I haven't seen her in months, man. I'm allowed this blissful fucking proximity." Billy's fiery tone revealed the flare of his emotion accented by his words.

"Don't 'man' me. You're allowed to be happy, but it's been a solid eighteen hours, and, by how relaxed Mr. Sunshine is over there, I'm sure you've been taking full advantage of the nearness." Tim was spiraling.

"Mr. Sunshine? You're mad at me for calling you man, and you call me Mr. Sunshine?" Billy landed a heavy punch on Tim's shoulder.

"Ouch, what the fuck?" Tim scowled.

"Ok, children; quiet time. No one talks, and we keep our hands to ourselves for the rest of the ride." I turned to Billy. "And you're in trouble. You don't punch Timmy."

"It's Tim," he argued again.

I gave him another look, and he slumped into his seat.

"Are you pouting?" I whispered to Billy.

"You yelled at me and sided with Tim."

I couldn't help it; Billy was adorable. "This is the cutest thing I've ever seen. You're a grown man mad because you got in trouble for punching your best friend."

He flashed his brown eyes at me.

"I can't even." I leaned in to give him another kiss. I lingered close enough for his lips to touch mine, and I whispered, "I love you so much."

"I know." His lips tipped up to a smile at his confidence. "We gotta," he pushed away. "Sorry," he nodded forward to a crowd of people in line.

"Is that where we're going?" My stomach soured at the sight of the crowd.

"Tim, will you get Lil inside?" Billy's voice came as an apology.

"Of course. She's going to mend my broken heart," Tim sighed again. "That sounded different in my head."

"Yeah, just get her inside." He squeezed my hand as he popped out of the car.

I watched him for a few minutes as he waved and stopped to sign a few things on his way inside the store.

"He's famous," I murmured to myself.

"And still an ass," Tim added, before turning to the driver. "Can you drive around the block and pull up again?"